Meet Jiling Wang

Jiling Wang is an aspiring landscape architect, currently enrolled in the Master’s program (MLA) here at UBC. Landscape architecture lies at the intersection of the natural and built environments. Working as a landscape designer at several different firms, Jiling has experience working in a wide range of projects from large-scale commercial that can take years to finish to small-scale residential garden projects. Personally, Jiling is interested in how to manipulate and create landscapes that will benefit all forms of life – a passion that stems from Jiling’s forestry background. As described by Jiling, both disciplines “concern our responsibilities in cultivating stewardships in the natural environment”.

Jiling chose to study forestry at the Nanjing Forestry University because of a life-long interest in plants and trees. In her third-year, she transferred to our Forest Resources Management degree as part of the 2+2 program. FRM offers a blend of the ‘practical and theoretical’ – a great fit for a hands-on learner like Jiling.

The transition was not without its challenges but the staff and students here at UBC, Jiling credits, made her feel welcome and supported. She describes one of her most memorable moments, at Fall Camp:

“As the very first course I had to take when I transferred to UBC, I had to deal with many difficulties such as fitting in a new environment, overcoming the language barrier, homesickness, etc. And the Plant ID test at fall camp was just such a bitter-sweet experience as it was very hard for newcomers who have to learn the plants from scratch within a short period of time. Passing the test with praise from my professors was really rewarding.”

Her advice for future transfer students is about trusting that everything will be okay: “You will become your better self”.

During her time at UBC, she also had the opportunity to take part in a summer exchange to Taiwan. There, she explored the biodiversity of the environment and the culture of the people.  She describes it as one of the best decisions she has ever made.

Apart from working towards her degree and her career, Jiling enjoys drawing and dancing. Lately, she has taken up TikTok and has made many short dance videos in her spare time. Jiling is an active volunteer at the Girl Guides of Canada. Although she leads activities, she credits the young girls at the organization with leading and teaching her new skills and ways to have fun. She has also worked as a tour guide at the UBC Botanical Garden – an experience she credits with helping her practise plant identification. Working in these roles, she has gained valuable experience communicating and being confident about her knowledge.

Her future plans include registering as a professional in landscape architecture with the hopes of one day running her own business. Best of luck in the future, Jiling!

Authors/Editors: Rosalia Jaffray & Joris Jun
Photos from: Jiling Wang